House Wren Nesting Habits

Probably one of the most vocal birds this time of year is the House Wren. From sun up to sun down I can hear this little, plain brown wren (4.3 to 5 inches) calling repeatedly. It is loud enough that I can hear it through my closed windows with the air conditioning running too. This is not a complaint mind you but an observation as I always enjoy hearing this bird sing. Listen HERE.

You see male House Wrens generally only sing during breeding season and since it is July they are probably working on their second brood by now (they breed from March to July). I can tell because I have two nesting boxes in my yard that have sticks sticking out of the holes. House Wren nesting habits starts with sticks placed by the male in a couple of nesting cavities which can be in anything from a nest box to an old boot for this bird. In fact this wren will use planters, boxes, flower pots, wreaths, drain pipes, and even your store bought decorative birdhouse that you have placed somewhere on your patio for their nest. You see they adapt very well to being around humans.

The interesting thing is that the male will set up a number of nesting locations in any of these things so that when he mates with a female he can take her to each one of these dummy nests. Then she chooses the best one for laying her eggs which can be up to 7.

Where Are House Wrens?

House Wrens are one of the most common backyard birds that breed throughout most of Canada and down to South America and the West Indies. They like open meadows, gardens, hedges, orchards, open forests, groves, woods, parks, you name it. Then come about October it will migrate to the southern most states and into Mexico.

House Wrens tend to be secretive. When I spot them they are usually hopping around among my garden or low near bushes. The only time that I spot them in a tree is when I hear them singing and I follow the sound.

MORE HOUSE WREN FACTS

The female will lay an egg a day until she lays up to six or seven eggs.

The nesting site is usually found lower to the ground.

The nest is made up of sticks, grass, plant materials, weeds, and feathers.

House Wrens are known to also add spider egg sacs to their nesting materials. This is to help control mites that may take over the nesting area.

Incubation takes twelve to fifteen days and during this time the female will leave the nest from time to time to feed.

The young leave the nest about twelve to eighteen days after they hatch.

House Wrens have two broods per year.

They feed mainly on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, flies, grasshoppers, moths, crickets, and also eats spiders.

While House Wrens are tiny and cute little birds, they are far from being nice when it comes to other bird nests. They will invade other nests such as chickadees and sparrows piercing their eggs or dragging their young out of the nest if they are within or near their breeding area.

Both the male and female look alike.

Hawks and owls are predators of the House Wren adult. Raccoons, cats, oppossom, rats, and snakes will eat their eggs and their young chicks.

A House Wren can live up to nine years in the wild.

To Conclude

House Wrens are those cute little brown birds that you see hopping around your shrubs or garden. They are very vocal during their breeding season which is from March to July. You will hear the males singing all day long during this time which is for attracting a mate and also for guarding their nest. Rarely do you hear them singing once breeding season is over.

This wren is a common backyard bird throughout the United States and Canada during the spring and summer so you probably have a pair or two in your own garden. If they are nesting in your yard they are probably in a nesting box, in your beautiful planter on your patio, or maybe even in an old boot as House Wrens have no preference.

That is why I like this bird so much. They are very adaptable to using things around your yard for their nest. You never know when you will come upon one of their nests and if you do it is always a pleasant surprise. Plus, hearing them wherever I go be it in my backyard, at the nearby park, or just strolling around the neighborhood is always a treat.

How about you? Do you like House Wrens as much as I do? Where have you found a House Wren Nest in your garden? I would love to hear about it. Please feel free to make your comments below.

Happy Birding!

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2 Comments

This is my second year enjoying house wrens, so precious to watch… first year.i my hanging basket…this year in a most covered. Bird house…very busy and quite vocal!!!thanks for the info…. Marilyn in Cincinnati,O